Community

As school schedules and shorter days replace the buzz of summer, don't let family activities fade to a distant memory. Instead, get your gang out to the races this fall. There's something for everyone each month:

Sept 12thLadysmith Village 5K Color Blast (Ladysmith, Virginia)Take a short drive down Rt. 95 to Ladysmith, Virginia, for their annual 5K race and 1K fun run. Last year's glow run has become this year's morning color splash.

Sept 12thPink Heals Color Rush 5K (Wilderness Presidential Resorts, Spotsylvania, Virginia)Run through a rainbow of color, each representing different cancer awareness programs. There will be a 5K for the teens and parents and a 1-mile run for the younger kids.

Sept 26th Deuce Braswell 5K Run/Walk Against Teen Violence (Courtland High School)This series brings awareness to teen violence and honors the life of Baron "Deuce" Braswell. It features a 5K Run/Walk for teens and older, and a 1 Mile Youth fun run.

Oct 3rd Howlin' Coyote 10K and Wily Pup Dash (Caledon State Park, King George, Virginia)This race offers a 10K for 13 years and up, and a 1-mile run for the younger crowd.

Oct 4th Margaret Brent Elementary 5K and 1 Mile (Stafford, Virginia)This elementary school in Stafford County will sponsor two races to highlight fitness.

Oct. 10th Go for Bo 5K, 1 Mile and Tot Dash (Stafford, Virginia)Go for Bo raises money and awareness of Ebenezer United Methodist Church's partnership with Helping Children Worldwide. HCW works to transform the lives of children in Sierra Leone.

Nov 26th Turkey Trot 5K, 1 Mile and 1/2 Mile (James Monroe H.S., Fredericksburg, Virginia)Strap on the running shoes and bring the family out for a quick sprint before tucking into Thanksgiving dinner. You'll feel better about that second piece of pumpkin pie if you do.

Jan 1, 2016 Resolution Run 5K (YMCA on Butler Road, Fredericksburg, Virginia)What a great way to kick off the New Year! Start your resolutions right in 2016 by entering the family today.

Vic Culp of Race Timing Unlimited provided information for this list of family favorites.

A.E. Bayne is a writer and visual artist who lives in Fredericksburg, Virginia. She has been a frequent contributor to Front Porch Magazine and is an editor at the Fredericksburg Literary Review.

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Engineering for Kids

In Fredericksburg, Engineering for Kids provides a suite of programs and events for kids aged 4-14. “Subjects range from Electronic Game Design to Aerospace Engineering, Robotics to earth-friendly Environmental and Marine Engineering. Engineering For Kids is devoted to one sole purpose: to inspire the next generation of engineers.”